Frustrating contradictionsMood: d'ohNow Playing: skillet "Awake"
Don't ya hate it when you have an estimated date of birth and then find something that is 10-20 years different than what you originally had? When you cannot find accurate dates for major life events, it is very frustrating... I've mentioned this little rant because I have for a Francis Dandridge and est DOB of 1724 with his father (also Francis) having an est DOD of 1728. Very possible but what gets frustrating is that I have a land grant from 1731/1736 for a Francis, well this couldn't be Francis the Senior because he had supposedly already died, but this would make Francis (aka Francis "Planter" Dandridge) a wealthy land owner at the young age of 12 - not saying it isn't possible as there were other Dandridges that could have run things for him but still, when the puzzle isn't complete, it makes it harder to see that big picture. There are age discrepencies all the time, even in census records, so this is why trying to locate life event records is important (birth, baptism, marriage, divorce and death records). *sigh* back to the ancestry labyrinth again! :)

Site rebuild underway!Mood: rushed
Okay I think I'm satisfied with the rebuild thus far. I've completely redone the Dandridge page and am quite proud of it, especially the intro. I will have all other pages done soon. I'm sorry for the inconvenience!

Good morning! I wanted to let y'all know that I'm having to do a total rebuild of the site. For that I apologize! I'm trying to get into the new site builder now but apparently it's having issues - bleck! Hopefully it'll be back up today so I can add everything back in.

Okay, so I just don't understand why some people insist on charging for access to genealogy information (this is in reference to individual researchers such as myself, this is not about Ancestry.com or historical societies and other organizations). Yes, I know that it takes time and expense to obtain information and organize it but seriously... charge someone $45.00 for your unknown website search that may or may not produce a successful connection? Seriously people!

I have always felt, where MY work is concerned, that anyone can use anything I have or request information or images and I will be happy to share anything I have - and all I would ask in return is for credit to be given to me and a link to my website be added to your page. I do have on my website information regarding copyright and how it applies to genealogy so check it out to be sure you are not stealing anything, but other than that.... my work is for everyone!

Yes, I have poured tireless efforts, an insurmountable amount of time and fianancial resources into my work, but I will not charge for what I have discovered. I would not have been able to get as far as I have without the help and generosity of many people and they are credited on my website. I believe wholeheartedly that this information should be shared freely. It is so important for us to learn about our pasts and we have to work together to do so.

I know it has been a long time since I've done anything related to genealogy. My husband is very ill with more than one chronic illness so between him, the kids and the house, there is very little time for anything else. I will try to start picking it back up when I can. I pray that my husband and I get some answers and solutions soon! Thank you for reading and God bless!

PS I know that there is one mistake on the slideshow on my home page. I listed my (step)grandfather as James Walter Owen but his name was James Mobley Owen (his mother's maiden name). I will fix it when I get around to it... thx for the patience!

Really Cool!Mood: chillin'
Okay, so after a total of three tries, I got the movie for the homepage the way I like it! It's up so please view it and let me know what you think... Also, while labeling a photo on the Hornsby side, I realized something way cool: that photo and the photo of Mary Louise (Hornsby) Baggett turning 102 years old are 102 years apart! That's just awesome! I have two pictures of the same person that are over a century apart! That doesn't happen often! God bless Mary Louise (Auntie)!!! And thanks to Uncle Glenn for those photos of Auntie's 102nd bday party! (Both photos and another that Auntie is also in are posted on the Favorite Family Photos page on my site - http://redgenealogy.tripod.com).

My First Video creation and editMood: happyNow Playing: "I am the Voice" by Celtic Woman
Okay, so I know this is a bit bragadocious, but I just completed my first attempt a making a photo slide show into a music video. I did pretty good - the timing is off in a couple of spots but as I practice more, I will be able to perfect it. The video is on YouTube and I embedded it onto my homepage at http://redgenealogy.tripod.com. Check it out and let me know what you think! Thanks!

I've come to the realization that not everyone is interested in genealogy. Some of the things I do to obtain information is also often misunderstood. Like my grave site photographs for example. No, I don't necessarily like jumping from cemetery to cemetery and take random photos. I am hunting the grave sites of my ancestors and I will visit historical cemeteries (like at St. Philip's Episcopal in Charleston, SC) to gain more knowledge on the past.

There is a great deal to be learned in studying, not just history but, your history. I'm trying to build up a legacy to pass on to my children in the hopes that they remember what has been accomplished by their forefathers and to also learn from their mistakes. I have ancestors that were on both sides of the Revolutionary War and ancestors that fought for the Confederacy in the War for Southern Independence (more commonly known as the US Civil War). I've learned a great deal about these moments in history and about the current state of our country because of the research I have been conducting in my own bloodlines.

So, in closing, to anyone that doesn't understand my need to do this work, then all I can say is same old adage on my homepage - Those that do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. To those of us that have established trees that we continue to build on, I encourage you to continue your work, no matter what kind of flack you may catch from others. You have to do what you feel is important to you and not be discouraged by the naysayers. We are better people for knowing our pasts.